A Numerical Investigation on the Response of Thick Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Composite to Ballistic Impact

LONG H. NGUYEN, SHANNON RYAN, ADRIAN C. ORIFICI

Abstract

A previously validated numerical model is used to computationally investigate the penetration of thick ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) panels by fragment simulating projectiles. Penetration of such panels has been previously determined to occur in two stages: an initial localised penetration phase followed by a bulging phase during which failure occurs through membrane tension. In the bulging stage, UHMW-PE composite is able to exhibit large bulge deformation because mode II delamination occurs as a result of the transit of an initial pressure wave ahead of the projectile. The bulging stage is found to provide a significantly higher ballistic efficiency than the initial localised penetration stage. The transition between these two stages was found to occur where the release wave reflected from the panel rear surface interacts with the projectile.